World Briefing / ZIMBABWE

Tsvangirai warns of food crisis

Prime Minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai said a new power-sharing government must be formed within days to avert a humanitarian crisis.

Tsvangirai told reporters that a new government needed to make an international appeal for food aid for the estimated 5.5 million people who would need it by January. He said there was a near standstill in the farming, industry and mining sectors of the country's crumbling economy.

The formation of a unity government by Tsvangirai and rival President Robert Mugabe has stalled over the allocation of ministerial posts.